Sure, it’s worth it in the end, but pregnancy comes with a lot of annoying side effects. The acne! The morning sickness! And don’t forget back pain. Show
Pesky pregnancy symptoms can show up in the first trimester, before you’ve even announced your news to the world. Sometimes back pain even begins in the first trimester. It’s no surprise, really — your hormones are changing, and your world ‘s been turned upside down, even if you’re thrilled about it. Everything’s a little off-balance. The source of the painMost pregnant women experience lower back pain. You might also feel it in your central back (that’s called lumbar pain) or down in your tailbone or hips (this is posterior pelvic pain). It’ll feel achy and tense, much like prepregnancy back pain. Days 1 to 90Later in pregnancy, you’ll have what feels like a bowling ball strapped to your stomach. Back pain makes sense then. But some women feel achy even in the first trimester — it’s actually a low-key sign of early pregnancy. Blame it on the hormones and stress. All the feelsGrowing a baby isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. It’s tough on your body and emotions. Stress makes your muscles tight, whether you’re pregnant or not. So take a deep breath, be gentle with yourself, and talk through your feelings — the good and the bad! Hormone happeningsHello, pregnancy hormones! Your body is already preparing for birth (overachiever much?), which includes flooding your system with two hormones that affect your muscles. Progesterone relaxes your pelvic muscles, which can cause your lower back to overcompensate and tighten up. Appropriately named relaxin makes your uterus soft and comfy for the baby. It also loosens your pelvic joints and ligaments, which forces your back to do all the heavy lifting. Here’s the scoop on trimesters two and three: Your uterus will expand, your bump will grow, and your back will be working overtime. Growing baby = weight gainWeight gain during pregnancy is a fact of life. As the baby grows, you’ll feel a little off-balance, which will make your back muscles work harder. Your joints will take a hit too. Every woman’s preggo journey is different. Some mamas have itty-bitty bumps, while others gain more weight. In general, you’ll have a higher risk of back pain during pregnancy if you’re at a higher weight before pregnancy or if you’ve had back issues in the past. The CDC recommends weight gain ranges based on your pre-preggo BMI. (Note that these are for mamas with just one baby on board.) How much should you gain?
Growing belly = poor postureAs your belly grows, your center of gravity will shift. It’s tempting to do the “expecting mom” pose — belly forward, spine curved, hand on your lower back for support. But don’t let “Lean Back!” become your new hype song: Bad posture triggers back pain. Separating abs (yep, it’s a thing!)Six-pack #fitspo aside, the truth is that your abs are made up of two parallel muscle bands. They connect in the middle to support your core. During the last trimester, some pregnant women experience something called diastasis recti. Basically, the baby could push so hard against your abs that they separate. It’s a pretty common condition — just ask Drew Barrymore. Aside from changing the look of your postpartum belly, diastasis recti puts a whole lotta pressure on your back muscles. Don’t rely on pain relievers when you’re expecting. Instead, try these preggo-approved remedies for back pain:
Prevention is the best medicine, right? Lower your risk of pregnancy back pain with these habits:
It’s normal to have some muscle pain in your back during pregnancy. You might even get nerve pain that radiates down your butt and leg (aka sciatica). But in rare cases, back pain can signal a bigger problem. These are the signs your achy back warrants a trip to the doctor:
Back pain is a normal part of pregnancy, even in the first trimester. Hormonal changes, weight gain, and muscle separation can all put a strain on your lower back. The good news is that there are several ways to soothe the pain and prevent major back issues. If you have severe back pain that lasts longer than 2 weeks, it’s best to call your healthcare provider. You might need some extra medical TLC or even physical therapy. How long does your lower back hurt in early pregnancy?Studies show that lower back pain usually occurs between the fifth and seventh months of being pregnant, although in some cases it begins as early as eight to 12 weeks. Women with pre-existing lower back problems are at higher risk for back pain, and their back pain can occur earlier in their pregnancy.
How much back pain is normal in early pregnancy?It is very common to get backache or back pain during pregnancy, especially in the early stages. During pregnancy, the ligaments in your body naturally become softer and stretch to prepare you for labour. This can put a strain on the joints of your lower back and pelvis, which can cause back pain.
What does lower back pain in early pregnancy feel like?Lower Back Pain in Pregnancy
Lower back pain symptoms may start at any time during pregnancy. These symptoms may feel like: A dull ache or sharp, burning pain in the lower back area. One-sided pain in the right or left area of the lower and/or mid-back.
Does back pain in early pregnancy come and go?Some discomforts might occur in the early weeks of pregnancy, while others will occur only as you get closer to delivery. Other discomforts might appear early and then go away, only to come back later. This is normal and usually does not mean something is wrong.
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